What kind of dha is this?

[Battara]

Ok, I have a question for the Dhafia.( :eek: )....

I have seen (and worked on) many different types of dha from Burma to Thailand, and I don't understand this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6585215738&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Fsofocus%3Dbs%26sbrftog%3D1%26from%3DR10 %26fstype%3D1%26catref%3DC6%26satitle%3D6585215738 %26sacat%3D-1%2526catref%253DC6%26bs%3DSearch%26fsop%3D2%2526f soo%253D2%26coaction%3Dcompare%26copagenum%3D1%26c oentrypage%3Dsearch%26fgtp%3D%26sargn%3D-1%2526saslc%253D2%26sadis%3D200%26fpos%3D40203%26f trt%3D1%26ftrv%3D1%26saprclo%3D%26saprchi%3D%26fvi %3D1

Is this modern? What country? What about the very delicate "ferrule"? Please explain this to me? :confused:

[Ian]

Not sure I can, Jose.

It is a strange mix of silver work, almost like the silversmith went overboard with the wire decorations. I've not seen anything like that hilt before. The pommel looks way out of place with the rest and is almost certainly a replacement.

I thought more likely Burmese than Thai, but it's an odd one.

Ian.

[Battara]

Thank you Ian. Was very confused by this and I agree with your observations.

[Andrew]

This one was odd enough to tempt me but, in the end, too odd to bid on. :D

The missing chape is unfortunate, and the silver sheathing looks loose and the wood beneath newer.

I think we're looking at a recent (i.e. mid-late 20th c.) ceremonial/presentation sword. However, the blade looks promising as I think I can seel a "hamon" along the edge, even wrapping around the tip which could indicate differential hardening or an inserted edge. My eyes could be deceiving me because of the poor pictures.